Portable supporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable supporting apparatus for a portable multimedia device includes a support housing and a mounting arrangement. The support housing includes a multimedia connector for detachably connecting with the portable multimedia device. The mounting arrangement is provided underneath the support housing, and includes a plurality of supporting legs, each having a predetermined shape, pivotally and downwardly extended from the support housing, wherein supporting legs are adapted to move between an idle position, and a mounting position where each of the supporting legs is pivotally moved to form a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the support housing so as to bias against an external object for frictionally retaining a position of the support housing with respect to the external object, such that the portable multimedia device is capable of being securely supported by the external object through the portable supporting apparatus.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part of a non-provisional application havingan application number of Ser. No. 11/828,355 filed Jul. 26, 2007 nowU.S. Pat. No. 7,490,797.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a multimedia device accessory, and moreparticularly to a portable supporting apparatus which is capable ofmounting a portable multimedia device, such as a digital camera or adisplay screen of multimedia playing system, to an external object so asto allow convenient and secure enjoyment of the multimedia materialsdelivered by the multimedia device in a non-conventional environment.

2. Description of Related Arts

Conventional multimedia devices include digital cameras, digital videorecorders, portable multimedia players and the likes. In recent years,such multimedia devices have widely been utilized in a wide variety ofcircumstances, such as in an environment other than a conventionaldomestic indoor environment. For example, people may bring theirportable multimedia players on board while they are traveling. Moreover,people may also bring their digital cameras to an outdoor environment sothat they may take pictures in a convenient manner.

In order to utilize the multimedia devices in their fullest extent, manyaccessories have been developed to allow particular types of multimediadevices to be used when particular circumstances occur. For example,when a user wishes to have extended light exposure on the part of his orher digital camera, he or she may need a tripod for securely and stablysupporting his or her digital camera. Besides, when a user wishes towatch a movie when he or she is traveling on a long-haul journey by bus,the user may wish to mount the display screen of a portable multimediaplayer playing system into his or her seat (e.g. the handle bar of hisor her seat).

Now a major problem for these portable multimedia devices is that eachparticular multimedia device requires a designated or a particular typeof accessory. For instances, a conventionally tripod is usually designedto only support a digital camera in an outdoor environment. Othermultimedia devices require different accessories. Since many people mayutilize a number of multimedia devices in a single activity (e.g. a usermay wish to use digital camera as well as a multimedia player (such asipod) during traveling), it is very inconvenient for them to carry thecorresponding number of accessories, especially when the nature of theactivity does not recommend bringing many personal belongings with theparticipants.

Furthermore, even a digital camera utilized in a different circumstancerequires a different type of accessory. For example, when a user wishesto have his or her digital camera supported in a confined area such asin an aircraft, that user cannot rely on a conventional tripod becauseit would be too bulky for him/her to carry it on board. Again, the factthat the user may carry with him a number of accessories for use indifferent yet typical circumstances imparts undue convenience to him andthe user may simple retreat from using some multimedia devices. Thisresult is highly undesirable.

As a matter of fact, there exits a conventional tripod comprising asupport housing for detachably attaching with a camera, and a pluralityof bendable supporting legs spacedly extended underneath the supporthousing for winding onto an external objects so as to stably mount thecamera onto that external object. Each of the bendable supporting legscomprises a plurality of rounded shaped supporting elements movablyattached onto each two adjacent supporting elements in such a mannerthat each two supporting elements are allowed to pivotally move to acertain extent with respective to the adjacent supporting elements.Accordingly, each of the supporting legs is allowed to bend into a widevariety of shapes for winding onto an external object (such as a mainstem of a tree). A disadvantage of this kind of conventional tripod isthat the supporting legs can only wind onto an external object, therebysubstantially limiting the circumstances in which they can be utilizedfor supporting a portable multimedia device, such as a digital camera.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a portablesupporting apparatus which is capable of mounting a portable multimediadevice, such as a digital camera or a portable multimedia system, to anexternal object so as to allow convenient and secure enjoyment of themultimedia materials delivered by the multimedia device in anon-conventional environment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portablesupporting apparatus which is capable of stably and detachably mountinga wide variety of multimedia devices to an external object in africtional manner. In other words, the present invention allows the userto carry with him only a minimum number of accessories for his or hermultimedia devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portablesupporting apparatus comprising a plurality of supporting legs which iscapable of mounting on a wide variety of external objects so as tomaximize the circumstances in which the present invention can beutilized.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portablesupporting apparatus which is light in weight and simple in structure sothat the present invention can be conveniently transported and carriedand easily used by a user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a portablesupporting apparatus which does not involve complicated or expensivemechanical or electrical components. As a result, the manufacturing costof the present invention can be minimized.

In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention providesa portable supporting apparatus for a portable multimedia device,comprising:

a support housing which comprises a multimedia connector for detachablyconnecting with the portable multimedia device; and

a mounting arrangement which is provided underneath the support housing,and comprises a plurality of supporting legs, each having apredetermined shape, pivotally and downwardly extended from the supporthousing, wherein the supporting legs are adapted to move between an idleposition and a mounting position, wherein in the idle position, each ofthe supporting legs is vertically and downwardly extended from thesupport housing for being conveniently transported and stored, whereinin the mounting position, each of the supporting legs is pivotally movedto form a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the supporthousing so as to bias against an external object for frictionallyretaining a position of the support housing with respect to the externalobject, such that the portable multimedia device is capable of beingsecurely supported by the external object through the portablesupporting apparatus.

The above mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more clearly described and shown in the followingdetailed description, drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable supporting apparatusaccording a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the portable supportingapparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are sectional side views of the portable supportingapparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the portable supporting apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a first alternative mode of the portable supporting apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 6A to 6G are schematic diagrams of a second alternative mode ofthe portable supporting apparatus according to the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a third alternative mode of a portable supporting apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are schematic diagrams of a fourth alternative modeof a portable supporting apparatus according to the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a fifth alternative mode of a portablesupporting apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 4 of thedrawings, a portable supporting apparatus for a portable multimediadevice 70 according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated, in which the portable supporting apparatus comprises asupport housing 10, and a mounting arrangement 20. The portablemultimedia device 70 is a conventional multimedia device, such as adigital camera, a digital video recorder, a portable multimedia player(e.g. ipod, MP4 player etc.), and the likes.

The support housing 10 comprises a multimedia connector 11 fordetachably connecting with the portable multimedia device 70.

The mounting arrangement 20 is provided underneath the support housing10, and comprises a plurality of supporting legs 21, each having apredetermined shape, pivotally and downwardly extended from the supporthousing 10, wherein the supporting legs 21 are adapted to move betweenan idle position and a mounting position, wherein in the idle position,each of the supporting legs 21 is downwardly extended from the supporthousing 10 for being conveniently transported and stored, wherein in themounting position, each of the supporting legs 21 is pivotally moved toform a predetermined angle of inclination with respect to the supporthousing 10 so as to bias against an external object 80 for frictionallyretaining a position of the support housing 10 with respect to theexternal object 80, such that the portable multimedia device 70 iscapable of being securely supported by the external object 80 throughthe portable supporting apparatus.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesupport housing 10 further comprises a supporting platform 13 having asupporting surface 12 formed thereon for the portable multimedia device70 resting thereon, wherein the multimedia connector 11 is provided onthe supporting surface 12 for detachably connecting with the portablemultimedia device 70 so as to detachably connect the support housing 10with the portable multimedia device 70. The multimedia connector 11 canbe a known connector utilized in a conventional tripod, such as aconnecting screw having a threaded portion adapted for connecting with acorresponding threaded hole formed on the portable multimedia device 70.

The support housing 10 further comprises a connecting joint 14 pivotallyconnecting the supporting legs 21 of the mounting arrangement 20 withthe supporting platform 13 in such a manner that each of the supportinglegs 21 is adapted to pivotally move with respect to the supportingplatform 13 for frictionally mounting to an external object 80. Morespecifically, the connecting joint 14 is securely mounted underneath thesupporting platform 13 for pivotally connecting with a top end portionof each of the supporting legs 21 so that they are capable of movingbetween the idle position and the mounting position.

On the other hand, the mounting arrangement 20 further comprises aplurality of engaging teeth 22 formed along a main body portion of eachof the supporting legs 21 for substantially enhancing a clampingperformance thereof when they are pivotally moved to the mountingposition. According to the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the engaging teeth 22 are formed on an inner side surfacealong the main body portion of each of the supporting legs 21 so thatwhen they are pivotally moved to frictionally mount onto an externalobject 80, the engaging teeth 22 are adapted for biasing against anouter surface of the external object 80 so as to substantially grip onthat external object 80 for mounting the support housing 10 (and thusthe portable multimedia device) thereon.

Each of the supporting legs 21 preferably has a curved shape extendingfrom the connecting joint 14 to a lower end portion of the respectivesupporting leg 21 for optimally clamping onto the external object 80. Anexplicit illustration on the working mechanism of the present inventionis shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 4 of the drawings. As shown inFIG. 3B and FIG. 4 of the drawings, when the supporting legs 21 are inthe mounting position, each of the supporting legs 21 is pivotally (andperhaps inwardly) moved to clamp on the external object 80 (such as achair) for securely and optimally mounting the support housing 10 ontothat external object 80. Moreover, each of the supporting legs 21 ispreferred to be pivotally connected to the connecting joint 14 atdifferent geometrical planes so as to ensure that a pivotal movement ofone of the supporting legs 21 will not interfere with the pivotalmovement of any other supporting legs 21. In other words, when thesupporting legs 21 are pivotally moved toward each other, each of thesupporting legs 21 will not hit each other. Rather, each two supportinglegs 21 are capable of pivotally and inwardly moving to pass each otheralong certain intersection axis and therefore exerting the maximumgripping force toward the external object 80.

As shown in FIG. 3A of the drawings, where a user wishes to mount theportable multimedia device between a physical structure as the externalobject 80 (such as when the user wishes to support the portablemultimedia device in between two walls or within a confined spacesurrounded by walls), the supporting legs 21 are adapted to outwardlyand pivotally extend from the support housing 10 to bias against theexternal object (such as the surround walls) so as to frictionally andsecurely support the support housing 10 in the space between thesurrounding walls. In other words, the portable multimedia device, whichis adapted to detachably mount onto the supporting platform 13 of thesupport housing 10, can be securely and stably supported by thesurrounding walls as the external object 80 via the portable supportingapparatus of the present invention.

In order to further enhance the inventive features of the presentinvention, the mounting arrangement 20 further comprises a lockingdevice 23 provided at the support housing 10 to operatively couple withthe supporting legs 21 in such a manner that the locking device 23 isadapted to optimally lock up the supporting legs 21 in position. Thus,when the supporting legs 21 are locked and retained at a particularposition, they are adapted to mount on the external object 80 in astable and secure manner so as to stably and securely support theportable multimedia device 70 by the external object 80 via the portablesupporting apparatus of the present invention.

The locking device 23 comprises a lock member 231 operatively providedunderneath the supporting platform 13 of the support housing 10 forselectively locking the supporting legs 21 in position so as to allowthe supporting legs 21 to frictionally mount the support housing 10 ontoan external object 80. The locking device 23 further comprises a lockadjuster 232 operatively supported by the support housing 10 tomechanically communicate with the lock member 231 for selectivelyactivating the lock member 231 to lock up the supporting legs 21 inposition.

More specifically, the lock member 231 comprises a locker cap 2311,having a plurality of locker slots 2312 spacedly formed on a sidewall ofthe locker cap 2311, movably underneath the supporting platform 13,wherein the supporting legs 21, which are pivotally connected with thesupport housing 10, are arranged to pass through the locker slots 2312respectively in such a manner that an upward pivotal movement of each ofthe supporting legs 21 is dictated by a height of the correspondinglocker slot 2312. In other words, an upward pivotal movement of each ofthe supporting legs 21 is restricted by a top edge of the correspondinglocking slot 2312. Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lockadjuster 232 is preferably embodied as an adjusting screw rotatablyengaged with the locker cap 2311 such that when the adjusting screwrotates, the locking cap 2311 is driven to move vertically along alongitudinal direction of the portable supporting apparatus forselectively locking up the supporting legs 21 in position.

The locking device 23 further comprises a securing device 233 rotatablymounted underneath the lock adjuster 232 at a position between thesupporting legs 21 so as to rotatably and vertical displace along alongitudinal direction of the supporting legs 21. The securely device233 is thus capable of ensuring that the supporting legs 21 are securelylocked in position so as to enhance a mounting performance of themounting arrangement 20. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3Band FIG. 4 of the drawings, the securing device 233 has a curved crosssection and a plurality of securing slots 2331 spacedly formed thereonfor normally receiving the supporting legs 21 within the securing slots2331 respectively when the supporting legs 21 are in the idle position.According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each ofthe securing slots 2331 is elongated in shape and substantially alignswith a corresponding outer circumferential edge 2333 of the securingdevice 233 such that when the securing device 233 is driven to rotate,the supporting legs 21 are guided to disengage from the securing device233 for freely and pivotally extending outwardly from the supporthousing 10.

It is important to point out that when the supporting legs 21 arepivotally extended and bias against the an external object 80, thesecuring device 233 is arranged to be rotated and moved at an optimalposition in such a manner that the curved outer circumferential edge2333 of the securing device 233 is adapted for biasing against thesupporting legs 21 so as to maintain adequate frictional force on thepart of the supporting legs 21 for allowing them to mount on theexternal object 80. In other words, the securing device 233 is capableof maintaining a sound frictional engagement between the supporting legs21 and the external object 80. Thus, the securing device 233 further hasa connecting hole 2332 arranged to operatively engage with the lockadjuster 232 in such a manner that when the securing device 233 isdriven to rotate about the lock adjuster 232, the securing member 233 isguided to rotate and move vertically along a longitudinal direction ofthe lock adjuster 232.

The locking device 23 further comprises a locker housing 234 supportedunderneath the support housing 10 for supporting an upper end portion ofeach of the supporting legs 21 in a pivotally movable manner so as toallow the supporting legs 21 to be pivotally moved between the idleposition and the mounting position. More specifically, the lockerhousing 234 comprises a first and a second housing body 2341, 2342mounted underneath the support housing 10, wherein each of the first andthe second housing body 2341, 2342 has a plurality of guiding slots 2343spacedly formed thereon to align with the locker slots 2312 respectivelyunderneath the locker cap 2311 so that the supporting legs 21 arecapable of pivotally moving between the idle position and the mountingposition via the guiding slots 2343. It is worth mentioning that whenthe locker cap 2311 is driven to lock up the supporting legs 21, theguiding slots 2343 is partially covered by the locker cap 2311 for notallowing the supporting legs 21 to pivotally move when they hit a topedge of the corresponding locker slot 2312.

From the above descriptions, it is important to point out that theportable supporting apparatus of the present invention can be utilizedfor conveniently mounting a portable multimedia device, such as adigital camera, on an external object 80, such as a chair. The presentinvention may be used in outdoor environment so that the user is able toset up his or her multimedia device in a wide variety of circumstances.

In order to further extend the circumstances in which the presentinvention may be utilized, the supporting legs 21 can be embodied ashaving different cross sectional shape, such as pentagonal, hexagonal,octagonal and the likes. Moreover, each of the supporting legs 21 may bemade of flexible materials or actually memory materials so as to allow amore extended application of the present invention in rarecircumstances. For example, when the portable supporting apparatus is tobe utilized in a confined environment, slightly flexible supporting legs21 may be helpful in mounting the support housing 10 within thatconfined environment.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a first alternative mode of theportable supporting apparatus according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode issimilar to the preferred embodiment except that the mounting arrangement20 does not have the plurality of engaging teeth 22, and furthercomprises a plurality of frictional member 22′ fittedly embedded aroundeach of the supporting legs 21 so as to provide adequate frictionalforce for mounting the supporting legs 21 onto the external object 80.According to the alternative mode, the frictional member 22′ may be madeof a wide range of materials, such as rubber materials which are capableof generating great frictional force between the frictional member 22′and the corresponding surface of the external object 80.

Referring to FIG. 6A to FIG. 6G of the drawings, a second alternativemode of the portable supporting apparatus according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The secondalternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except that themounting arrangement 20″. According to the second alternative mode, eachof the supporting legs 21″ comprises at least a first and a second legsegments 211″, 212″ movably connected with each other such that each ofthe first and the second leg segments 211″, 212″ is capable of freelyrotating with respect to each other. In other words, since each of thesupporting legs 21″ has a predetermined curved cross section, wheneither leg segment 211″ (212″) rotates, the supporting legs 21″ areadapted to extend optimally for frictionally biasing against theexternal object 80 so as to mount the support housing 10 thereonto. Alock 213″ can be installed between the first and the second leg segments211″, 212″ for restricting a lateral rotational movement between thefirst and the second leg segments 211″, 212″ when the supporting legs21″ are in the mounting position.

It is worth mentioning that each of the supporting legs 21″ can bedesigned and crafted to form a wide variety of cross sectional shapes soas to meet the diverse circumstances in which the present invention isto be utilized. As shown in FIG. 6A of the drawings, each of thesupporting legs 21″ is curved outwardly from the support housing 10 formounting onto an external object 80 wherein the first and the second legsegments 211″, 212″ are rotatably connected with each other. As shown inFIG. 6B of the drawings, each of the supporting legs 21″ has a wavycross section for substantially resembling the function of the engagingteeth 211 disclosed in the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6C ofthe drawings, each of the supporting legs 21″ has an inwardly curvedsection for mounting onto the external object 80, wherein each of thesupporting legs 21″ has the first and the second leg segments 211″, 212″to flexibly forming a desired angle of inclination of the supportinglegs 21″ with respective to the support housing 10. As shown in FIG. 6Dof the drawings, each of the supporting legs 21″ is smoothly curvedoutwardly from the support housing 10 for mounting onto an externalobject 80. As shown in FIG. 6E and FIG. 6F of the drawings, the firstand the second leg segments 211″, 212″ are pivotally connected with eachother for forming a desired cross section for the correspondingsupporting leg 21″. Referring to FIG. 6G of the drawings, the supportinglegs 21″ are embodied as having a wavy cross section for mounting ontoan external object 80.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, a third alternative mode of theportable supporting apparatus according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. The third alternative mode issimilar to the second alternative mode, except the supporting legs 21A,and that the mounting arrangement 20A further comprises a glass mountingunit 40A provided on the support housing 10 for detachably mounting ontoa glass surface, such as an inner surface of a windshield of a vehicle.The supporting legs 21A are now therefore adapted for temporarilyholding the multimedia device 70 when the portable supporting apparatusis not in use.

Each of the supporting legs 21A comprises at least a first and a secondleg segment 211A, 212A movably connected with each other such that eachof the first and the second leg segments 211A, 212A is capable of movingwith respect to each other. In other words, since each of the supportinglegs 21A has a predetermined curved cross section, when either legsegment 211A (212A) moves, the supporting legs 21A are adapted to extendoptimally for frictionally biasing against the external object 80 so asto mount the support housing 10 thereonto. Alternatively, the supportinglegs 21A are adapted to extend for temporarily holding the multimediadevice 70 when the portable supporting apparatus of the presentinvention is not in use. It is worth mentioning that each of thesupporting legs 21A can be designed and crafted to form a wide varietyof cross sectional shapes so as to meet the diverse circumstances inwhich the present invention is to be utilized.

The glass mounting unit 40A comprises an adjustable windshield mountpedestal 41A detachably extended from the support housing 10 forselectively mounting onto an inner glass surface of the windshield so asto (temporarily) mount the support housing 10 and the mountingarrangement 20A onto the windshield, wherein the supporting legs 21A areadapted to securely hold the multimedia device 70.

Referring to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8B of the drawings, a fourth alternativemode of the portable supporting apparatus according to the preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The fourthalternative mode is similar to the second alternative mode describedabove, except the absence of the securing device 233 and that each ofthe supporting legs 21B further comprises two leg lockers 213Bselectively locking the first leg segment 211B with the support housing10″, and the first leg segment 211B with the second leg segment 212Brespectively, in such a manner that each of the first and the second legsegment 211B, 212B is adapted to be locked up at a predeterminedposition with respective to the supporting housing 10″ and the first legsegment 211B respectively.

As a result, the first and the second leg segments 211B, 212B arecapable of freely forming a wide range of irregular shapes for mountingthe multimedia device 70 onto an even more diverse range of objects. Itis worth mentioning that the leg lockers 213B are adapted to retain theirregular shape of the respective supporting leg 21B (i.e. the irregularshape formed by the corresponding first and the second leg segments211B, 212B). Moreover, each of the supporting legs 21B can beindividually locked up by one of the leg lockers 213B for allowing themto mount on the external object.

Each of the leg lockers 213B comprises a locking pin 2131B penetratingthe respective first and the second leg segment 211B, 212B forselectively locking the first segment 211B with respective to thesupporting housing 10″, and the second leg segment 212B with respectiveto the first leg segment 211B.

In this fourth alternative mode, each of the supporting legs 21B isillustrated not to have the engaging teeth 22. However, one skill in theart would understand that each of the supporting legs 21B in the fourthalternative mode can comprise the engaging teeth 22 for enhancing themounting performance of the supporting legs 21B.

Referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, a fifth alternative mode of theportable supporting apparatus according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. The fifth alternative mode issimilar to the second alternative mode described above, except that themain housing 10C further comprises an adjustable joint 16C movablyprovided on the support housing 10C for adjustably moving the supportingplatform 13C and the multimedia connector 11C at a predeterminedorientation with respective to the support housing 10C (preferably theconnecting joint 14). In other words, the multimedia connector 11C andthe supporting platform 13C can be freely rotated so as to adjust theangle of the multimedia device 70 to capture images at thatcorresponding direction.

More specifically, the adjustable joint 16C comprises a ball joint 161Crotationally mounting the supporting platform 13C and the multimediaconnector 11C with the support housing 10C so that the multimedia device70 can also be rotationally adjustable for facing at a optimal ordesirable angle in order to capture a particular object. According tothe fifth alternative mode of the present invention, the ball joint 161Chas a spherical portion 1611C rotationally mounted on the connectingjoint 14C, and a platform seat portion 1612C upwardly extended from thespherical portion 1611C, wherein the supporting platform 13C is mountedon the seat portion 1612C of the ball joint 161C in such a manner thatthe ball joint 161C is capable of freely rotating about a longitudinalaxis of the support housing 10C, as well as pivotally moving withrespective to the connecting joint 14C thereof.

Furthermore, the adjustable joint 16C further comprises a platformlocker 162C provided on the platform seat portion 1612C of the balljoint 161C for selectively locking the supporting platform 13C on theadjustable joint 161C. It is also worth mentioning that the supportingplatform 13C can be detachably attached on the platform seat portion1612C of the ball joint 161C so that the platform locker 162C provides aquick-release locking mechanism to the supporting platform 13C. It isworth mentioning that the main housing 10C can further comprise aresilient member 18C, such as a compressive spring provided thereon tonormally exert an urging force towards the supporting legs 21 so as todownwardly push the supporting legs 21 when they are released from beinglocked up by the locking device 23. In other words, the resilientelement 18C is for assisting quick and smooth unlocking of thesupporting legs 21.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isillustrative only and not intended to be limiting. All embodiments havebeen shown and described for the purposes of illustrating the functionaland structural principles of the present invention and is subject tochange without departure from such principles. Therefore, this inventionincludes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope ofthe following claims.

1. A portable supporting apparatus for a portable multimedia device,comprising: a support housing which comprises a multimedia connector fordetachably connecting with said portable multimedia device; and amounting arrangement which is provided underneath said support housing,and comprises a plurality of supporting legs, each having apredetermined shape, pivotally and downwardly extended from said supporthousing, wherein said supporting legs are adapted to move between anidle position and a mounting position, wherein in said idle position,each of said supporting legs is pivotally and downwardly extended fromsaid support housing for being conveniently transported and stored,wherein in said mounting position, each of said supporting legs ispivotally moved to form a predetermined angle of inclination withrespect to said support housing so as to bias against an external objectfor frictionally retaining a position of said support housing withrespect to said external object, such that said portable multimediadevice is capable of being securely supported by said external objectthrough said portable supporting apparatus, wherein each of saidsupporting legs comprises a first leg segment, a second leg segment, andtwo leg lockers selectively locking said first leg segment with saidsupport housing, and said first leg segment with said second leg segmentrespectively, in such a manner that each of said first and said secondleg segments is adapted to be locked up at a predetermined position bysaid respective leg locker with respective to said supporting housingand said first leg segment respectively, so that each of said supportinglegs are capable of forming a wide variety of shapes for mounting on adiverse range of said external object, wherein each of said leg lockerscomprises a locking pin penetrating said respective first and saidsecond leg segment for selectively locking said first segment withrespective to said supporting housing, and said second leg segment withrespective to said first leg segment.
 2. The portable supportingapparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said main housing furthercomprises an adjustable joint movably provided on said support housingfor adjustably moving said supporting platform and said multimediaconnector at a predetermined orientation with respective to said supporthousing when said main housing is mounted on said external object. 3.The portable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein saidadjustable joint comprises a ball joint rotationally mounting saidsupporting platform and said multimedia connector with said supporthousing, wherein said ball joint has a spherical portion rotationallyprovided on said main housing, and a platform seat portion upwardlyextended from said spherical portion, wherein said supporting platformis mounted on said seat portion of said ball joint in such a manner thatsaid ball joint is capable of freely rotating about a longitudinal axisof said support housing, as well as pivotally moving with respective tosaid main housing.
 4. A portable supporting apparatus for a portablemultimedia device, comprising: a support housing which comprises amultimedia connector for detachably connecting with said portablemultimedia device; and a mounting arrangement which is providedunderneath said support housing, and comprises: a plurality ofsupporting legs, each having a predetermined shape, pivotally anddownwardly extended from said support housing, wherein said supportinglegs are adapted to move between an idle position and a mountingposition, wherein in said idle position, each of said supporting legs ispivotally and downwardly extended from said support housing for beingconveniently transported and stored, wherein in said mounting position,each of said supporting legs is pivotally moved to form a predeterminedangle of inclination with respect to said support housing so as to biasagainst an external object for frictionally retaining a position of saidsupport housing with respect to said external object, such that saidportable multimedia device is capable of being securely supported bysaid external object through said portable supporting apparatus, whereineach of said supporting legs has a predetermined curved cross-sectionalshape along said respective supporting leg extending from said supporthousing to a lower end portion of said respective supporting leg foroptimally clamping onto said external object in a frictional manner; anda plurality of engaging teeth formed along an inner side of said mainbody portion of each of said supporting legs for substantially enhancinga clamping performance thereof when said supporting legs are pivotallymoved to said mounting position, in such a manner that when saidsupporting legs are pivotally moved to frictionally mount onto saidexternal object, said engaging teeth are adapted for biasing against anouter surface of said external object so as to substantially grip onsaid external object for mounting said support housing thereon.
 5. Theportable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein saidmounting arrangement further comprises a locking device provided at saidsupport housing to operatively couple with said supporting legs in sucha manner that said locking device is adapted to optimally lock up saidsupporting legs in said mounting position so as to ensure that saidsupporting legs are locked and retained at a particular position forstably and frictionally mounting onto said external object.
 6. Theportable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 5, wherein saidlocking device comprises a lock member operatively provided underneathsaid supporting platform of said support housing for selectively lockingsaid supporting legs in position, and a lock adjuster operativelysupported by said support housing to mechanically communicate with saidlock member for selectively activating said lock member to lock up saidsupporting legs in position.
 7. The portable supporting apparatus, asrecited in claim 6, wherein said mounting arrangement further comprisesa plurality of frictional member fittedly embedded around each of saidsupporting legs so as to provide adequate frictional force for mountingsaid supporting legs onto said external object when said supporting legsare at said mounting position.
 8. The portable supporting apparatus, asrecited in claim 5, wherein herein said main housing further comprisesan adjustable joint movably provided on said support housing foradjustably moving said supporting platform and said multimedia connectorat a predetermined orientation with respective to said support housingwhen said main housing is mounted on said external object.
 9. Theportable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein saidadjustable joint comprises a ball joint rotationally mounting saidsupporting platform and said multimedia connector with said supporthousing, wherein said ball joint has a spherical portion rotationallyprovided on said main housing, and a platform seat portion upwardlyextended from said spherical portion, wherein said supporting platformis mounted on said seat portion of said ball joint in such a manner thatsaid ball joint is capable of freely rotating about a longitudinal axisof said support housing, as well as pivotally moving with respective tosaid main housing.
 10. The portable supporting apparatus, as recited inclaim 9, wherein said locking device comprises a lock member operativelyprovided underneath said supporting platform of said support housing forselectively locking said supporting legs in position, and a lockadjuster operatively supported by said support housing to mechanicallycommunicate with said lock member for selectively activating said lockmember to lock up said supporting legs in position.
 11. The portablesupporting apparatus, as recited in claim 10, wherein said mountingarrangement further comprises a plurality of frictional member fittedlyembedded around each of said supporting legs so as to provide adequatefrictional force for mounting said supporting legs onto said externalobject when said supporting legs are at said mounting position.
 12. Theportable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 11, wherein each ofsaid supporting legs comprises at least a first and a second leg segmentrotatably connected with each other such that each of said first andsaid second leg segments is capable of freely rotating with respect toeach other for optimally extending to frictionally bias against saidexternal object at an optimal angle.
 13. The portable supportingapparatus, as recited in claim 12, wherein said mounting arrangementfurther comprises a glass mounting unit comprising an adjustablewindshield mount pedestal detachably extended from said support housingfor selectively mounting onto a glass surface so as to selectively mountsaid support housing and said mounting arrangement onto said glasssurface while said supporting legs are adapted to securely hold saidmultimedia device when said portable supporting apparatus is not in use.14. The portable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 4, whereineach of said supporting legs comprises at least a first and a second legsegment rotatably connected with each other such that each of said firstand said second leg segments is capable of freely rotating with respectto each other for optimally extending to frictionally bias against saidexternal object at an optimal angle.
 15. The portable supportingapparatus, as recited in claim 14, wherein said mounting arrangementfurther comprises a glass mounting unit comprising an adjustablewindshield mount pedestal detachably extended from said support housingfor selectively mounting onto a glass surface so as to selectively mountsaid support housing and said mounting arrangement onto said glasssurface while said supporting legs are adapted to securely hold saidmultimedia device when said portable supporting apparatus is not in use.16. The portable supporting apparatus, as recited in claim 10, whereineach of said supporting legs comprises at least a first and a second legsegment rotatably connected with each other such that each of said firstand said second leg segments is capable of freely rotating with respectto each other for optimally extending to frictionally bias against saidexternal object at an optimal angle.
 17. The portable supportingapparatus, as recited in claim 16, wherein said mounting arrangementfurther comprises a glass mounting unit comprising an adjustablewindshield mount pedestal detachably extended from said support housingfor selectively mounting onto a glass surface so as to selectively mountsaid support housing and said mounting arrangement onto said glasssurface while said supporting legs are adapted to securely hold saidmultimedia device when said portable supporting apparatus is not in use.